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Pierzynski reiterates White Sox focus

Pierzynski reiterates White Sox focus

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A.J. Pierzynski

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BOSTON -- If it weren't for the itinerary given to him by White Sox director of team travel Ed Cassin, indicating a weekend visit to Motown, A.J. Pierzynski would not be giving any thought to the Detroit Tigers.

It's hard to overlook a talent-laden team with a 9-3 record in July and eight wins in its last nine games following Monday's victory over the Angels. The Tigers also happened to be the prohibitive American League Central favorite going into the 2012 campaign.

But with the injuries and player moves dotted throughout the South Siders' successful 2012 effort, there's no time for Pierzynski to worry about a very good team in Detroit that appears to be getting better.

"Obviously, we've been so focused on ourselves that we haven't really had time, I haven't really had time, I can't speak for everyone else, to pay attention," Pierzynski said. "I know they have been playing well.

"We expected them to play well at some point. As long as we continue to play well and do our thing, it doesn't matter what anyone else does. We'll take care of our own business. It will all work out in the end as long as we continue to do our job."

Pierzynski would rather talk about the AL Central frontrunners completing their first series victory in Kansas City since 2009, snapping a seven-series winless streak. He would rather focus on four games at Fenway Park with the Red Sox, another team battling for playoff position.

Then, there's the matter of rookie Dylan Axelrod starting Monday, Philip Humber returning from the disabled list Tuesday and most likely another rookie hurler getting the call Wednesday as Gavin Floyd's replacement. In a strange way, though, the injury adversity of the White Sox has sharpened the individual focus of the healthy players.

"That just made guys realize: 'If I do my job and take care of my business and everything and every person does what they are supposed to do, then things will work out,'" said Pierzynski, whose squad has a 7-4 July mark. "Sometimes you get caught up in looking at the big picture instead of focusing on yourself and what you need to do. That's when you get into trouble.

"You worry about things out of your control. We should worry about what we can control. Each guy does that, and it makes everything work together."